Chris Byrne
The Playground PodcastEpisodes
Episodes of The Playground Podcast
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Chris talks to veteran inventor Dan Klitsner about his new toy Sling-It. Dan was the genius behind Bop-It, but with this new venture, he's decided to manufacture and market under his own company.It's a wild toy, with an even wilder story. (We
There is a lot happening at the Toy Foundation! Near and dear to our heart is the new entrepreneurship program honoring Richard Gottlieb, but that's just part of it.Listen in as Chris talks to Pam Mastroka, executive director of the foundation
Build-A-Bear CEO Sharon John has driven the evolution of Build-A-Bear from a vertical retailer to a global toy company with legions of followers. And as she says, it was built, "One heart ceremony at a time."But it's the savvy combination of d
For 22 years, Cloud B has been an innovator in bedtime products--adding fun, health and peace of mind to the nursery and the bedroom for both kids and parents.In this episode, we talk to Thomas Deumier, CEO of PJ Distribution, parent company o
There are big changes ahead for the Toy Association. After months of work and listening, there's news about LA in the Fall (and Spring), New York, ongoing advocacy and much more. Andy Keimach, interim president and CEO of the Toy Association g
In this episode, Chris talks to author and historian Rob Goldberg about his fascinating book Radical Play. It's a look at the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s and how those challenged and changed the toy industry–and the ways in which th
In this episode, Chris talks with Sophia Chong on site at the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair about the 50th Edition of the show, the value of toy fairs, and a vision for the show as an essential gateway to the Asian markets.This episode brings ba
In our fifth annual year-end conversation, Chris is joined by James Zahn of The Toy Book, The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider and John Baulch managing director and publisher of Toy World UK. Zahn and Baulch are two of the leading industry obse
In this conversation, Chris talks with Joost Poulus, chief product officer for Moose toys. They talk about Joost's 20-plus year career with Moose, building a culture that supports innovation and the company's BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for
Listen in on this great conversation as Chris talks to Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Abrahams discusses the book and how people can be more effective communicators, whether as managers, colleagues...or pitching a product.
Richard Gottlieb's death on October 26 from ALS was a blow for the people who knew and loved him, the toy industry, and, of course, this podcast.In this short segment, Chris remembers and honors Richard and all his contributions, his amazing s
Chris talks to John Tong, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Toys Advisory committee. (Just one element of his diverse career.) They talk about Toy Fairs, opportunities in Hong Kong and how Hong Kong is coming back as a busines
Richard and Chris talk with Michele Litzky and Josslynne Welch about the history of Litzky Public Relations, the evolution of PR over the past quarter century, and the transition as Josslynne takes over the reins of the company.It's a great co
Chris and Richard talk to Mary Couzin about her career, the creation of People of Play, the upcoming 21st edition of the Chicago Toys & Games Fair, and the Young Inventors Challenge.It's an energetic conversation, and you'll see why from her p
Chris talked with Eric Poses of All Things Equal Games about the 25th Anniversary of Leading Questions and his repeat of the cross-country car trip he did to launch the game in 1997. We caught up with him just as he was leaving. for 22 cities,
Richard and Chris talk with game inventor Elan Lee about his hugely successful game Exploding Kittens, developing great games, and his new line of Kitten Games, which Elan developed with his 4-year-old daughter.This high-energy conversation wi
Serial inventor, professor, inveterate innovator and advocate of play Brendan Boyle of Fuse London joins us for a lively and wide-ranging conversation. From his early career to his current gig with Fuse, Brendan has been a joyful advocate of p
Chris and Richard talk to Alex Prieto, who calls himself director of fun for Toy. Zone. Of course, he does much more than that. Listen in as the wide-ranging conversation covers current issues, running a global company, AI, and what may be ahea
Chris and Richard, with Richard on the keys, have a conversation with Jessica Kalichman, director of marketing for WowWee about her career, the company's use of Tik Tok both to market and create community. They talk about why it works, what soc
Join Richard (on the keys) and Chris as they talk with inventor Dan Klitsner, creator of Bop-It about his newest puzzle Free Fall from ThinkFun. They talk about this new innovation, the challenges and rewards of inventing and delve into the top
We kick of season five of The Playground Podcast with Madame Alexander's VP of sales, David Morgenstern. Richard, Chris, and guest host Chris Bensch from The Strong Museum of Play chat about this history, the legend, and what's new for the next
Chris was back in Hong Kong for the 49th annual Toys & Games Fair… for the first time since 2020.Listen to what’s going on at the Fair—and hear the folks who are making the most of this transitional edition.The Playground is sponsored by Gl
Richard and Chris talk to Christian Ulrich from Spielwarenmesse about the upcoming Nuremberg Show. What’s new, what to expect, and the general excitement of gathering once again at the world’s largest Toy Fair.The Playground Podcast is support
Richard and Chris talk with John Baulch from Toy World UK and James Zahn from The Toy Book for our 4th Annual year-end conversation. From inventory levels to new challenges, to the potential for the revitalized Toys "R" Us, to, of course, the i
Richard and Chris talk to Josh Loerzel of Sky Castle Toys about his career and his ongoing success in using social media to create hits. From his early days at Zing where he made a monster hit out of Stikbot, Josh talks about how he did it and
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